Sixers 2017 Offseason

[allentown]

Fultz has a lot of maturing to do physically in the NBA. I can't remember a player who is supposed to be so can't-miss who looks like such a kid.

We see this all the time with H.S. baseball draftees. It's not uncommon in the NBA. Fultz looks like a kid, because he is a kid. That's what happens when you draft guys after almost no college time. Nobody should expect an instant hit. That doesn't mean he isn't actually a can't-miss draftee.

[jimbomill]

Kobe was in a similar situation. Now, those are some unlikely shoes to fill, but after his first year, did anyone imagine his being better than AI?

[Dirk41]

I agree, but am unsure of how much process patience will extend to Fultz developing at his own pace

[Squire]

I agree with kmc1019 here, the team has looked awful in their first 3 pre-season games. I mean really bad. I've gone from excited to pretty concerned. The only solace is that alot of minutes are going to guys who aren't going to get a lot of minutes. Haven't seen much of Dario yet or any TLC.

[bigegypt0417]

I agree with kmc1019 here, the team has looked awful in their first 3 pre-season games. I mean really bad. I've gone from excited to pretty concerned. The only solace is that alot of minutes are going to guys who aren't going to get a lot of minutes. Haven't seen much of Dario yet or any TLC.

You may want to consider who was on the court and who wasn't.

I know it's the nature of the Philadelphia fan to ignore such things and just go to the "sky is falling" but seriously...we haven't been close to seeing the key players.

Ben Simmons is playing his first game minutes in about a year and looked much better in this last game with 15 points and 6 boards in 26 minutes.

[Squire]

Wait....that's what I said. Alot of minutes are going to non-key players.

But I also don't think Fultz/Simmons went a combined 5-15 from the free throw line last night because of who else was standing on the floor.

[bigegypt0417]

Wait....that's what I said. Alot of minutes are going to non-key players.

But I also don't think Fultz/Simmons went a combined 5-15 from the free throw line last night because of who else was standing on the floor.

Oh good...so I didn't realize we were focusing on that one particular number...free throws.

You're probably going to be miserable since I don't have great expectations for the 1st 15 games or so since these guys haven't played together much.

Really pumped for all the "fire brett brown" stuff we'll hear for the first couple of months.

[Philsmania]

Sixers really had no choice, some other team would have paid Embiid.

Meanwhile - and acknowledging that NBA preseason games are likely just as meaningless as NFL or MLB preseason games - the Sixers are being destroyed yet again for the 3rd time in 3 games. I am a believer in The Process, but it's hard to get behind a team that seemed to take a bunch of victory laps before ever winning a game. Simmons and Fultz should spend more time learning to shoot a basketball and less time telling reporters and social media how awesome they are.

I thought that there was a little too much irrational exuberance about the Sixers this past Spring. People seemed to forget just how far down they were and how far they still have to go. And now, with Embiid signing that contract, they are probably going to be even more inclined to put him into bubble wrap.

[Dirk41]

Any idea why Fultz has started shooting free throws like Shaq?

[phillychuck]

Latest reports say that Fultz's shoulder injury is worse than earlier reported, and it's affecting his shooting motion. Heaven forbid the Sixers draft rookie who doesn't spend his first season injured or overseas...

Fultz is the one they should be putting in bubble wrap.

[Philsmania]

Latest reports say that Fultz's shoulder injury is worse than earlier reported, and it's affecting his shooting motion. Heaven forbid the Sixers draft rookie who doesn't spend his first season injured or overseas...

Fultz is the one they should be putting in bubble wrap.

The more things change....

[xogfog]

The game vs. the Nets tonight that was not scheduled to be broadcast on NBC Sports Philly will now be broadcast live at 7:30pm. That's how important Embid is!

[phillychuck]

Embiid ate up the Nets, along with TJ (in the first half) and Dario (all game). Simmons showed flashes but still can't convert at the rim (or shoot). JJ is a very reliable offensive force. Bayless played better (especially on defense as the game went along). Cov was good on D and invisible on offense--gotta get him some touches.

[Dirk41]

Cov was good on D and invisible on offense--gotta get him some touches.

Unsure if he's quick enough or that he may be too big, but could RoCo play the 2 at all?

[Austinfan]

RoCo can't play the 2, he's actually better at the 4 than the 3, they have him playing 4 on offense and 3 on defense with Simmons on the floor, with Saric, he'll be the 3.
Saric is shooting better which is normal for European player adjusting to the 3 point line, look for him to increase from 31% to 35+% this year, he's not a great athlete, but he's tough, smart, has great court vision and good fundamentals, I think he'll be a better version of Kevin Love (one that plays defense).
TLC looked much better, as a role player he can employ his quickness and speed at both ends of the floor, still a work in progress, but far more upside than Nik.
TJ is the straw that stirs the drink, he'll be here a long time as a top reserve.
Simmonds is a work in progress, his offensive skills are rudimentary, his defense is sloppy, but he's 6'10 (11?) 240 lbs who runs the court like a 2 guard, passes like a point guard, and can matchup as a 4. Can't teach that stuff.

Embiid is a GOD, and I wanna be his high priest (looking for virgin sacrifices).
They had to gamble on his health, it's like asking Portland if they'd give up on Bill Walton.

[bigegypt0417]

Very excited about the start of the NBA season. I think it may be tough sledding for a bunch of games but this team has a bunch of very talented players. Ben Simmons had 3 pretty decent games and his ability to distribute should make him hard to guard as he gets more comfortable.

[bigegypt0417]

Sixers lose their opener but it was a pretty good game.

Ben Simmons will need to work on some type of shot that isn't just a floating left hander. Still ended with 18/10/5.

You can see what there is to like about Fultz but he's definitely a project.

Embiid is a monster if he can stay on the court. 18 points and 13 rebounds.

[bkeich]

It was a fun game to watch even through we came up on the short end.

Simmons is special. Even with no threat of an outside shot he consistently got to the basket. I don't think he is quite ready yet or understands the athleticism around him (he got blocked a few times on easy blocks) but you see what people are excited about.

Fultz basically the same thing. He has great energy and you knew when he was on the court, he is fearless and made some plays. He has some bulldog in him, just keeps putting out effort.

TLC looked awful as always. He isnt an NBA Player, when he is on the court we are playing 4 v 5 on offense. Made a nice 3 pointer but other than that he can't shoot, can't beat anyone off the dribble and can't pass. He is a good defender but got blown past a few times last night, get Stauskas out there and send him to the D-League to see if he can ever find an offensive game. It is only one game but he actually looked worse than he did last year, which is hard to believe.

Embiid had an off night offensively, but still produced. His touch on short jumpers is yet another weapon for him. A big guy who can create his own offense is special.

Great to see Covington off to a good start (1 game of course). He is a great defender, but last year he was mired in a half season shooting slump that really effected his play and his usefulness. I don't expect games like this from him often, but if he is just respectable with his shooting he is a very good player because of his defense and energy. Made a few mistakes late in the game that hurt, but he is also one of the main reasons we were still in the game.

I hate the way the officials still make "star" calls. Wall got some insane foul calls and plowed into TJ McConnell and got no call. I really wish the league would emphasize to the officials that the stars are not a different set of players that you make calls for. Honestly Embiid gets calls like this often too, so it isnt something that the Sixers don't benefit from, but it does taint the game.

[Philsmania]

Offseason is over. Why still use an offseason thread?